The reason for everyone's astonishment wasn't the excessively high endorsement fee, but rather how low it was. No, it couldn't be described as low; it could only be described as significantly lower than anticipated.
The document clearly stated Zhang Tieling's film and television endorsement fee was 300,000 yuan per year!
Highlight: This was for film and television endorsements, not for portrait usage or print advertising.
Portrait endorsement fees referred to merely borrowing a celebrity's photo and photoshopping it onto a company's product for simple promotion, the most common and basic type of endorsement.
As for print endorsements, they were a level higher, requiring the celebrity to shoot different photos according to the partner's requests for promotional purposes.
Film and television endorsements were the highest tier, requiring the celebrity to prepare costumes, props, and other materials according to specific requirements to shoot short videos, which would then be meticulously processed and heavily promoted.
Qin Chuan currently sought this level of film and television endorsement for his product, requiring the highest standards of promotion.
"Why is it so cheap?"
Qin Chuan muttered to himself when he saw the endorsement fee. He quickly searched his memory for any information regarding mainland entertainment in his previous life.
He discovered he had never paid attention to such matters, leaving his mind devoid of any relevant memories.
Driven by intense curiosity, Qin Chuan quickly scrolled down and found the second artist, this time Zhao Weiwei.
A one-inch photo of Zhao Weiwei was attached to her profile. Although the camera resolution at the time was average, it still showcased Zhao Weiwei's bright, watery eyes and the youthful beauty in her brows, making her look captivating and entirely natural.
Qin Chuan bypassed the earlier details and looked towards the end.
He saw Zhao Weiwei's endorsement fee was 200,000 yuan per year, even lower than Zhang Tieling's.
Qin Chuan scrolled further down and found Lin Xinru's, her endorsement fee also 200,000 yuan per year.
Suddenly, a flash of insight struck him. Qin Chuan stared at the three documents in his hand and found a commonality.
None of these three profiles, whether Zhang Tieling, Zhao Weiwei, or Lin Xinru, listed any famous works.
Their fame all stemmed from the current drama, "My Fair Princess," and even included Zhang Tieling.
Zhang Tieling's role as the Emperor in this drama marked the beginning of his acting career, making him a late bloomer.
As for Zhao Weiwei and Lin Xinru, they were essentially newcomers. None of the previous film and television works they had participated in were noteworthy.
Furthermore, "My Fair Princess" had only just begun to gain popularity. Its true explosion in popularity would come next year, around the turn of the millennium.
This was because "My Fair Princess Season 2" would be released then, and the brilliant acting of its numerous cast members would completely ignite the market.
It would also set numerous television records and become a legendary phenomenon, unbroken to this day.
The value of these actors would only skyrocket after the millennium, following the drama's immense success.
With this realization, Qin Chuan felt a great sense of relief.
However, no one knew his inner thoughts. Everyone only saw Qin Chuan's grim expression after Shen Anna presented the artists' profiles.
He would furrow his brow, lower his head, ponder, and then adopt a pensive look.
This demeanor made many anxious, especially Shen Anna, as the success of their collaboration had a direct impact on her interests.
Simultaneously, this was a rare opportunity for those artists, as Shen Anna had learned through certain channels that Qin Chuan intended to place his advertisements on China Central Television.
For any artist, appearing on CCTV was a great affirmation and a significant honor.
"Mr. Qin... Mr. Qin!"
Shen Anna grew restless, her heart filled with trepidation by Qin Chuan's expression.
"Is the endorsement fee too high? If so, no matter which artist you fancy, we can still negotiate the price!"
Shen Anna's tone was extremely humble.
This society was like that; when your status was sufficiently high, your background strong enough, and your network powerful, the disadvantaged party could instantly turn the tables.
With Ye Huaian and Zhong Dongyao present, Qin Chuan's initially weak position was immediately strengthened, leaving Shen Anna cautious.
If it were another merchant without significant backing, the scenario would undoubtedly be entirely different.
"Yes, Mr. Qin, please point out anything you're not satisfied with."
"We're all on the same side, after all. We can discuss anything."
The renowned director Sun Shupe also chimed in to help.
Qin Chuan snapped back to attention and realized Shen Anna and Sun Shupe were looking at him nervously. He immediately understood the situation and smiled wryly.
"The endorsement fees are a minor matter."
"It's just that I'd like to meet a few of the artists personally to see if they meet my requirements."
Qin Chuan stated.
"Of course, that's no problem! Which artist would Mr. Qin like to meet? I'll arrange it immediately!"
Shen Anna replied promptly.
"Hmm... Zhao Weiwei and Lin Xinru, perhaps..."
Qin Chuan said casually while flipping through the documents.
However, at that moment, his gaze sharpened, falling upon the last page. On it was a one-inch photo of a girl.
Upon seeing this photo, Qin Chuan immediately exclaimed, "Wait, call this girl over as well."
Shen Anna, who was about to leave, curiously leaned closer, wanting to see which artist had caught Qin Chuan's attention.
But as Shen Anna clearly saw the girl's face, her expression was one of astonishment. She gave Qin Chuan a deeply surprised look and then turned to leave.
After Shen Anna departed, Ye Huaian and Zhong Dongyao, seated nearby, simultaneously moved closer, both displaying unconcealed curiosity.
"Qin Chuan, who was it you just named?"
"A boy or a girl?"
As they spoke, their fingers moved at lightning speed to the documents on the table. Zhong Dongyao was slightly faster and picked one up directly.
"Damn, I thought it was someone important, but it's just a minor maid role, and her looks are at best described as plain."
Zhong Dongyao commented directly.
At this point, Ye Huaian was also staring at the artist's profile in Zhong Dongyao's hand and softly read, "Fan Bingbing, plays the maid Jin Suo, age 17..."
"No, Qin Chuan, why would you suddenly want to meet this Fan Bingbing?"
Ye Huaian was equally perplexed. He couldn't discern anything remarkable about the actress playing Jin Suo. At best, looking at the photo, she was merely plain.
The role of Jin Suo was also rather ordinary.
"Let me see!"
Suddenly, Ye Meiyun snatched the file from Zhong Dongyao's hand and looked at the artist named Fan Bingbing.
She then raised her head, her gaze fixed on Qin Chuan with surprise.
"Xiao Chuan, what's going on?"
"Is this Fan Bingbing related to you, or do you know her already?"
Ye Meiyun's question was more direct because she, too, saw nothing extraordinary about the actress named Fan Bingbing.
It wasn't that she thought Qin Chuan might be like other wealthy individuals, coveting a female artist's beauty and wanting to keep her as a mistress.
On the contrary, it was precisely because Ye Meiyun had seen the beauty and figure of Qin Chuan's girlfriend, Li Ya, as well as her outstanding charm, that she asked such a question.